Within the study of queer history, the subject of family is a touchy one. Even in the best circumstances, families of queer people can have mixed reactions. Throughout history, queerness has meant many different things. In the time and place about to be discussed, the idea of queerness as an identity was not popular. Queerness was not seen as an aspect of a person; it was an action. Because of this, the idea of coming out as queer to one’s family did not exist as it does today, viewed as almost a rite of passage by some in the queer community. Due to this, the story of some queer figures’ families do not often get looked that deeply into by this project. However, in the case of Elizabeth Amy Dillwyn, that is not possible.
Making Queer History has a vague title because it has a rather vague purpose. We are not alone in our aim to tell the queer community’s history. What defines us is our focus not only on the past, but toward the future.